Sticta

Sticta pulmonaria is a foliose lichen found on mature trees in cool, moist woodlands. Resembling lung tissue (hence its popular name), it was traditionally associated—by the old doctrine of signatures—with pulmonary ailments. In homeopathic preparation the whole thallus is tinctured, and triturations or dilutions are prepared from the tincture. Classical writers emphasise its affinity for mucous membranes of the upper air-passages—especially the naso-pharynx and Eustachian region—characterised by dryness, “stuffing,” and tenacious, hard-to-detach mucus [Hughes], [Clarke], [Boericke]. Toxicological data are scant; the homeopathic picture arises chiefly from provings and clinical confirmations [Allen], [Hering].

Nineteenth-century provings and clinical observations (American school) were recorded by Hale, Burt and contemporaries, later compiled by Allen and confirmed by Hering and Clarke [Proving] [Allen], [Hering], [Clarke]. Early clinical notes stressed dry coryza with obstructed posterior nares, frontal sinus pressure, and teasing, dry laryngo-tracheal cough [Clinical] [Boericke], [Phatak].

Sticta’s essence is a catarrhal polarity: dryness first—particularly of the posterior nares and laryngo-tracheal surfaces—then a passage into thick, ropy, adherent mucus that perversely refuses to detach. The patient feels “blocked and teased”: blocked in the nose (especially behind), teased in the larynx (tickle behind the sternum), and mentally teased by the inability to rest. This obstruction without relief dictates almost every modality—worse in warm, dry, confined rooms; worse at night and on lying; better in the open, cool, moving air; better as soon as any bland discharge finally appears [Hering], [Clarke], [Allen]. The frontal headache is not explosive but pressive and weighty at the root of the nose, a sinus-cap that fits too tightly, aggravated by futile attempts to blow. The sleep disturbance is disproportionate to the apparent mildness of the cold: each effort to settle increases mouth-breathing, which dries the throat and restarts the tickle-cough—an elegant vicious circle that Sticta breaks, especially when environmental advice (cooler, moister air) is followed (cross-references: Sleep, Modalities) [Kent], [Clarke].

In kingdom signature terms, Sticta acts like a membrane-drying wind across the “canopy” of the upper airways, then leaves behind shreds of stubborn lichen-like mucus adhering to hidden surfaces (posteriorly). Miasmatically it is chiefly psoric (irritative dryness, hypersensitivity to air-environment) with sycotic colouring (tenacious, ropy mucus when it comes), and a touch of the tubercular tendency in its love of moving, cool air and aggravation in closed rooms [Sankaran], [Kent], [Hering]. The decisive cues are environmental: if a patient says “I had to get up and stand by the open window to stop that tickle,” or “as soon as some discharge came, my head cleared,” Sticta asks for a trial. Differentials pivot on the discharge timeline (Sticta dry-first vs. Puls. bland-early; Sticta posterior plug vs. Kali-bich. stringy plugs that can be drawn out) and on the temperature modality (Sticta worse warm dry rooms vs. Rumex worse cold air) [Kent], [Clarke].

Clinically, Sticta shines in the earliest dry coryza, dry “blocked” hay fever, dry laryngitis with tickle and non-productive cough, and the transitional days after influenza when the nose is useless and the larynx keeps one awake. Its sphere may extend to catarrhal-rheumatic alternations—wandering shoulder pains during weather shifts coupled with blocked nose—yet the prescription remains anchored in the upper airway pattern. Above all, prescribe with the room: improve the air and give Sticta; together they restore the calm moisture that membranes require to sleep and heal [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke].

• Naso-pharynx and posterior nares — dryness with sense of “plugging,” thick, ropy mucus that cannot be expelled; early dry stage of colds and hay fever [Hering], [Clarke]. (See Nose, Throat.)
• Frontal sinuses — dull, pressive weight at the root of the nose and across the forehead; catarrhal frontal headaches from suppressed or non-existent discharge [Allen], [Kent]. (See Head.)
• Eustachian tubes & middle ear — catarrh with a “stuffed,” popping sensation and transient deafness during coryza [Hering], [Boericke]. (See Ears.)
• Larynx and trachea — dry, incessant tickle behind the sternum; cough without expectoration, worse night and warm rooms [Clarke], [Boericke]. (See Throat, Respiration.)
• Bronchi — tenacious secretion following an initial dry phase (post-catarrhal), with hard cough and scant detachment [Allen], [Phatak]. (See Chest.)
• Mucous membranes generally — dryness first, then thick, stringy mucus that adheres tenaciously (posterior nares, larynx, bronchi) [Hering], [Boger]. (Echoed across Nose/Throat/Chest.)
• Joints (rheumatic) — wandering, catarrhal-rheumatic pains about shoulders and large joints during weather changes with concurrent catarrh [Clarke], [Boger]. (See Extremities.)
• Sleep centres — restlessness and broken sleep from teasing cough or blocked posterior nares, cannot find position of ease [Hering], [Kent]. (See Sleep.)

A general nervous restlessness accompanies catarrhal states, with difficulty settling to tasks and irritability from broken sleep [Hering], [Kent]. Patients often describe a peevishness “out of proportion” to a seemingly trivial cold, explained by the persistent posterior-nares obstruction that makes breathing and speaking fatiguing [Clarke]. Mental dulness parallels the frontal heaviness, especially when discharge is absent; the head feels “stopped,” and thoughts come slowly [Allen]. Social withdrawal is common during colds: the warm, dry air of rooms and conversation itself (talking aggravates cough) make company unwelcome [Boericke]. Anxiety at night may arise from repeated waking with tickling cough, leading to anticipatory dread of lying down [Kent]. Some provers noted an unaccountable lightness or “airy” feeling alternating with heaviness of head, a mind–body polarity often seen in catarrhal remedies [Hering]. Irritability improves as soon as secretions loosen, echoing the modality “better when discharge appears” already noted [Hering], [Clarke]. Concentration improves in open air when the naso-pharyngeal dryness eases [Clinical]. Case: A clerk, fractious and inattentive during a week-long dry coryza, regained equanimity once a bland nasal flow began under Sticta 30C [Kent].

Sleep is restless and unrefreshing due to a teasing, non-productive cough that starts on lying and recurs in warm rooms; patients prop themselves up or seek cooler air for relief [Allen], [Kent]. Repeated waking brings irritability and morning dulness of head (cross-reference Mind, Head) [Hering]. Mouth-breathing during blocked-nose nights worsens dryness of throat and renews the tickle on each attempt to sleep [Clarke]. Short naps by an open window can be more restorative than a whole night in a heated bedroom—an instructive clinical polarity [Clinical]. Children are especially wakeful, tossing and sitting up to cough; they settle when the room is cooled and humidity raised (echoing Better moist air) [Hering]. Talking in sleep or moaning may occur from discomfort; dreams are not characteristic [Allen]. As the posterior discharge loosens, sleep improves, demonstrating the keynote “better when discharge appears” [Hering]. A cool, well-ventilated room is practically as important as the prescription in Sticta cases [Clarke]. Case: Night cough ceased when bed was moved near an open window and Sticta 30C given every 2–3 hours for the first evening [Boericke].

No distinctive dream picture; dreams, when noted, reflect daytime concerns and discomfort from cough and obstruction [Allen].

Sticta presents a coherent polarity: initial dryness of mucosae, obstructed passages, and non-productive irritation, followed by tenacious, hard-to-detach mucus—above all in the posterior nares and larynx [Hering], [Allen]. The sufferer is markedly worse in warm, dry, confined air (bedrooms, parlours, vehicles) and better in open, cool, or moist air, a modality that runs through Head, Nose, Throat, Chest, and Sleep [Clarke]. Night aggravation and lying down provoke cough and blocked breathing, compelling propped positions (cross-reference Modalities worse night/lying; better sitting up) [Kent]. Attempts to blow the nose aggravate the frontal pressure because nothing comes—keynote of the early stage [Hering]. As soon as bland or slightly ropy discharge finally appears and can be cleared, the cephalic pressure and mental dulness lift—“better when discharge appears,” a central keynote echoed across sections [Hering], [Clarke]. Catarrhal-rheumatic alternation—wandering joint aches with weather changes during colds—adds a minor but helpful general [Boger]. The case often hinges as much on air-environment management (cool, moist, ventilated) as on dose timing, reinforcing the modality-guided regimen [Clarke], [Boericke].

Mild evening rise during catarrh; heat aggravates the dryness of membranes in warm rooms [Hering]. Fever is not a keynote; Sticta suits afebrile or low-grade catarrhal states with disproportionate dryness [Clarke].

Chilliness on going into warm rooms (paradoxical) as membranes feel parched; the patient seeks cool, moving air [Hering]. Heat of face and head in stuffy rooms accompanies frontal pressure; sweat is slight unless coughing spells are prolonged [Allen].

A dull, pressive weight settles over the root of the nose and across the forehead, especially the frontal sinuses; the sensation is that of a block that will not clear [Allen], [Hering]. The headache is typically catarrhal, worse in warm rooms and at night, better in open air or when a free discharge begins, mirroring the general modalities [Clarke]. Attempts to blow the nose aggravate the pressure because nothing comes; there is dryness of the anterior and posterior nares [Hering]. The pains may extend to the malar bones and bridge of the nose, with a bruised or stuffed feeling [Boericke]. Some describe a “hollow” head with lightness alternating with heavy pressure, corresponding to the alternating dryness and scant, tenacious mucus [Allen]. The frontal pain is relieved transiently by warm drinks or gentle steam, which softens adherent mucus (cross-reference: Better warm drinks) [Clarke]. In sinus tendencies, there is a sensation of tightness at the glabella and a desire to constantly “sniff back,” yet nothing detaches—differentiating it from Kali-bich. where tough plugs are drawn out in strings [Kent]. Case: Catarrhal frontal headache without discharge, easing as soon as bland coryza commenced after Sticta; contrast Puls., which craves cool open air but tends toward thick, bland flow from the outset [Hering], [Kent].

Dryness and smarting accompany the nasal state; lachrymation is slight or absent at first, distinguishing it from All-c. where tears are profuse and acrid [Clarke], [Kent]. Lids may feel heavy; vision is clouded by frontal pressure rather than ocular pathology [Allen]. Light aggravates when the headache is prominent, but photophobia is secondary [Hering]. The conjunctiva can feel dry with a desire to rub; rubbing may excite sneezing without yielding discharge [Boericke]. In hay-fever states, there may be itching at the inner canthi with a compelling desire to clear the posterior nares, again “dry first, then tenacious” [Clarke]. Relief comes in open air or with moisture to the mucosae (steam), echoing general ameliorations [Hering]. Micro-comparison: Euphras. has profuse bland tears with acrid coryza to the nose (reverse of All-c.); Sticta tends to dryness first with scant eye involvement [Kent], [Clarke].

Eustachian catarrh with a stuffed or popping sensation on swallowing; transient dulness of hearing during coryza [Hering], [Boericke]. Pressure at the root of the nose can radiate towards the ears with a feeling as if the tubes were obstructed [Allen]. Warm rooms and lying aggravate, while cool air and the onset of freer nasal flow relieve (cross-reference modalities) [Clarke]. Tinnitus is not a keynote but may accompany the head-stuffed state [Boger]. The patient frequently swallows or yawns to “open” the ears; benefit is brief until the post-nasal dryness is corrected [Clinical]. Differentiation: Kali-mur. shows thick, whitish Eustachian catarrh; Sticta reflects the earlier, drier stage [Kent].

Keynote: dry coryza with complete obstruction—“cannot breathe through the nose”—yet no discharge will appear; posterior nares feel plugged by a tenacious mass that will not detach [Hering], [Clarke]. There is burning and rawness high in the naso-pharynx, with constant desire to clear the throat by hawking [Allen]. The root of the nose aches; attempts to blow are futile and aggravate pressure (worse blowing the nose), while open air gives relief (better open air) [Hering], [Kent]. Sneezing may be present but ineffectual, failing to open the passages; the sense of smell is temporarily dulled [Boericke]. After a day or two of dryness, a ropy, thick secretion may begin, still difficult to expel (posteriorly), contrasting with Puls. whose discharge is early and bland [Clarke]. Hay-fever subjects show the same pattern: early dryness, obstruction, tickle-cough, later tough mucus; warm rooms worsen everything [Hering], [Boericke]. Case: Recurrent “blocked nose with no discharge,” nightly worse in heated bedroom; Sticta restored patency and sleep, especially when the patient sat by an open window before bed [Kent].

Heavy, tired expression with puffy eyelids from wakeful nights; the malar region may feel bruised from sinus pressure [Allen], [Clarke]. There can be a mask-like stiffness across bridge and cheeks during the dry stage [Hering]. Warm, close rooms heighten facial congestion; open air eases (cross-reference modalities) [Clarke]. Neuralgic twinges are occasional and usually secondary to sinus involvement [Boger]. The lips and mouth may be dry and cracked with the same general aridity of mucosae [Boericke]. Facial symptoms abate as posterior discharge loosens, echoing the general keynote “better when discharge appears” [Hering].

Dryness of mouth and palate on waking; tongue often coated lightly or feels pasty [Allen]. The palate and posterior pharynx feel raw with a need to hawk tough strings from behind the uvula [Hering], [Clarke]. Warm drinks soothe temporarily (better warm drinks), but talking soon re-excites the tickle [Boericke]. Salivation is not a feature; dryness predominates until later catarrhal phases [Allen]. Taste may be flat; appetite reduced when frontal pressure is marked [Hering]. Micro-comparison: Hydrast. also has thick, stringy mucus but with more ulcerative, atonic mucosa; Sticta is earlier, drier, more irritative [Clarke], [Kent].

No striking proving keynotes; toothache, when present, is reflex from sinus pressure, worse warmth of room, better open air—parallel to the head state [Allen], [Clarke]. The patient may clench at night from irritation; this is incidental rather than characteristic [Clinical]. No proving symptoms recorded beyond catarrhal associations [Allen].

Posterior pharynx and naso-pharynx feel dry, burning, and clogged with adherent mucus; constant hawking yields little or scant ropy strings [Hering], [Clarke]. The uvula may feel elongated or tickled, provoking cough when lying [Allen]. Talking aggravates; warm rooms make the membrane parched, matching general modalities (worse warm rooms) [Boericke]. Steam or moist air soothes; warm drinks briefly relieve and can initiate slight detachment (better warm drinks) [Clarke]. Differentiation: Wyethia has intense itching deep in the posterior nares and palate driving one “mad”; Sticta’s keynote is dryer “plugging” with tickle-cough from posterior pharynx [Kent]. Case: Chronic post-nasal hawking with night cough abated on Sticta; benefit was greatest when the bedroom was cooled and humidity raised [Hering].

Early, dry laryngo-tracheal irritation with a teasing tickle behind the sternum; cough is frequent, non-productive, worse at night, in warm rooms, and on lying down [Clarke], [Boericke]. The voice may be rough from dryness; attempts to speak provoke fits (worse talking) [Boericke]. After a dry period, scant tough mucus begins to loosen, yet expectoration remains difficult; this transition confirms the “dry-then-tenacious” theme across the remedy [Hering]. Open, cool, moist air calms the tickle (better open air, moist atmosphere) [Hering], [Clarke]. Pain is minimal; soreness arises from cough-fatigue rather than inflammation [Allen]. Comparison: Rumex has exquisite sensitivity of the larynx to cool air and coughs on inspiring cold air; Sticta is worse warm dry rooms and is centred in posterior nares/larynx blockage [Kent]. Case: Post-influenza “dry cough at night with blocked nose,” relieved by Sticta and a cool bedroom, after failure of warm demulcents alone [Boericke].

No direct cardiac symptoms; cough paroxysms may quicken pulse transiently [Allen]. Not a guiding sphere for prescription.

Obstructed nasal breathing forces mouth-breathing at night; this dries the throat further and perpetuates cough—an important vicious circle in Sticta cases [Hering], [Clarke]. Dyspnoea is slight and chiefly from nasal obstruction; genuine lower-airway compromise is unusual in the primary picture [Allen]. Relief in open, cool air is consistent (cross-reference Better open air) [Hering].

Appetite blunted during the dry coryza phase; desire for warm fluids to soothe throat tickle [Allen], [Boericke]. Nausea is uncommon; cough paroxysms may momentarily upset the stomach [Hering]. Warm soups relieve throat and chest irritability (cross-reference Better warm drinks) [Clarke]. No strong gastric keynotes beyond catarrhal associations [Allen].

Little recorded beyond cough-provoked abdominal soreness from straining; no guiding abdominal keynotes [Allen], [Hering]. Bloating may accompany inactivity during colds [Clinical].

Scant data; constipation from dryness and reduced intake sometimes noted during the catarrhal phase [Allen]. No proving symptoms recorded of specific value.

No characteristic urinary signs; increased night waking from cough may lead to more frequent urination secondarily [Clinical].

Craves warm drinks for throat comfort yet is worse if taken in bed immediately before lying down (briefly loosens then excites cough) [Allen], [Boericke]. Appetite low; aversion chiefly due to frontal pressure and mouth dryness [Hering].

No characteristic sexual or genital symptoms reported in classical sources [Allen], [Hering].

Catarrhal states around menses behave typically (dry first, then ropy), but no guiding gynaecological keynotes are recorded [Clarke]. Nursing mothers with “head-cold without discharge” sometimes report aggravated night cough disturbing infant sleep—an indirect clinical note [Clinical].

Aching between shoulders from coughing or restlessness at night; no defining spinal symptoms [Allen].

Wandering rheumatic pains about the shoulders, elbows, and larger joints may accompany catarrh or weather changes; pains are better in open air and movement, worse warmth indoors, reflecting the remedy’s climatic sensitivity [Clarke], [Boger]. The deltoid region can feel tired and bruised from general malaise [Allen]. Not a chief keynote but useful when catarrh and rheumatic flitting coexist [Boger].

No special skin keynotes; dryness of mucosae is the dominant “surface” sign in Sticta subjects [Hering].

Key nasal picture (dry obstruction, no discharge)

• Nux-v. — Night-time stuffy coryza with irritability; but Nux has more sneeze-fits and gastric concomitants; Sticta is drier, with posterior plugging and tickle-cough [Kent], [Clarke].
• Am-c. — Stoppage at night, especially in the warm room; more weakness and desire for air; Sticta has stronger posterior-nares “plug” keynote [Kent].
• Samb. — Snuffles of infants with suffocative spells after midnight; more spasmodic and sweaty; Sticta is less spasmodic, more persistently dry [Hering], [Boericke].

Posterior nares / stringy mucus

• Kali-bich. — Tough, string-drawn plugs easily pulled out; more ulcerative sinus-catarrh; Sticta is earlier, drier, and less ulcerative [Kent], [Clarke].
• Hydrast. — Thick, yellow, tenacious discharge with raw, atonic mucosa; Sticta is the dry-first stage before profuse Hydrastis flow [Clarke].

Hay fever / laryngeal tickle

• Wyethia — Intolerable itching deep in posterior nares and palate; Sticta is chiefly blocking dryness with teasing cough [Kent].
• Arundo — Early itching of nose and eyes with coryza; Sticta has more dryness and posterior plugging [Clarke].
• Sabad. — Paroxysmal sneezing with chilliness; Sticta less paroxysmal, more “stopped” [Kent].

Cough comparisons

• Rumex — Cough from slightest inspiration of cool air; Sticta worse in warm, dry rooms, tickle behind sternum [Kent], [Boericke].
• Phos. — Hacking cough with raw chest, more burning and weakness; Sticta more naso-pharyngeal and dry [Hering].
• Drosera — Spasmodic, whooping-like cough; Sticta has teasing, non-paroxysmal character [Boericke].

Sinus / frontal headache

• Puls. — Thick, bland discharge early; loves cool air; Sticta has delayed discharge, earlier dryness and posterior plug [Clarke].
• Spig. — Sharp, neuralgic frontal sinus pains; Sticta dull pressive weight with catarrhal dryness [Kent].

• Complementary: Kali-bich. — follows Sticta when dryness gives way to persistent stringy plugs in posterior nares [Clarke], [Kent].
• Complementary: Hydrast. — after Sticta in later thick, atonic catarrh with raw mucosa [Clarke].
• Complementary: Puls. — when bland flow establishes but patient remains worse warm rooms, better cool air [Boericke].
• Follows well: Acon. — in early colds after the febrile edge subsides but dryness persists [Hering].
• Follows well: Nux-v. — in night-stopped colds when irritability and gastric features abate yet posterior plugging remains [Kent].
• Precedes well: Ars. — if dryness shifts to burning coryza with anxiety and prostration (change of picture) [Kent].
• Antidotes/Relieves: Over-heated rooms, dry forced-air heating—addressing the modality may “antidote” many complaints; Sticta aids when environment cannot be fully altered [Clarke].
• Related: Wyethia/Arundo — hay-fever sphere; choose by posterior itching (Wyethia) vs. dry plugging (Sticta) vs. early itching (Arundo) [Kent].
• Related: Rumex — both laryngeal tickle; distinguish temperature modality (Rumex worse cold air) [Kent].
• Related: Samb. — infant snuffles vs. adult dry obstruction of Sticta [Hering].

• Early dry coryza, night cough: 6C–30C repeated according to acuteness; space doses as soon as the tickle abates and sleep returns [Boericke], [Kent].
• Hay fever (dry-blocked onset): 6C–30C; consider 30C morning and evening during the dry phase, moving to a complementary like Kali-bich. if stringy plugs dominate later [Clarke], [Kent].
• Post-viral dry laryngitis: 6C t.d.s. for 24–48 hours alongside cool, humidified room air; then as required [Boericke].
• Environmental adjuncts (cool air, humidity, saline irrigation) are not optional niceties but part of the Sticta logic; they echo its ameliorations and hasten recovery [Clarke].
• Case pearl: “Dry, stuffed head; can’t blow; cough on lying—slept after moving near an open window—Sticta 30C q2h first night” [Boericke].
• Case pearl: “Hay fever begins with blockage rather than discharge; Sticta first, later Kali-bich.” [Kent].
• Case pearl: “Eustachian ‘stuffed’ feeling during coryza—Sticta cleared the naso-pharynx; hearing returned” [Hering].

Mind

• Mind—irritability—catarrhal states, during. Short temper from sleepless, teasing cough; lifts as discharge appears [Hering].
• Mind—concentration—difficult—headache, frontal, with coryza. Dulness mirrors sinus pressure [Allen].
• Mind—restlessness—night—cough, from. Cannot keep still owing to tickle on lying [Kent].
• Mind—aversion to company—conversation aggravates cough. Talking excites laryngeal tickle [Boericke].
• Mind—indolence with obstruction of nose. Lethargy from blocked breathing [Clarke].
• Mind—anxiety—night—on lying—cough aggravates. Anticipatory dread of night fits [Kent].

Head

• Head—pain—forehead—root of nose—pressure, weight. Catarrhal frontal pressure without discharge [Allen], [Hering].
• Head—pain—frontal—warm room aggravates. Worse heated rooms [Clarke].
• Head—pain—better—open air. Relief by cool air echoes general modality [Hering].
• Head—pain—attempts to blow nose—aggravates. Futile effort increases pressure [Hering].
• Head—catarrhal—without discharge. Early dry stage keynote [Clarke].
• Head—heaviness—frontal sinuses. Sense of cap too tight [Allen].

Nose

• Nose—obstruction—posterior nares—without discharge. Central keynote [Hering], [Clarke].
• Nose—dryness—naso-pharynx. Dominant tissue state [Allen].
• Nose—discharge—ropy—difficult to detach—posterior. Later stage transition [Hering].
• Nose—sneezing—ineffectual—does not relieve. Inadequate to clear passages [Boericke].
• Nose—smell—diminished—coryza during. Temporary anosmia from blockage [Allen].
• Nose—catarrh—hay fever—dry, blocked—warm room aggravates. Seasonal application [Clarke].

Throat / Larynx / Trachea

• Throat—post-nasal catarrh—tenacious mucus—hawking—little comes. Posterior plug [Hering], [Clarke].
• Uvula—tickling—cough from—lying aggravates. Night paroxysms [Allen].
• Larynx—tickling—behind sternum—cough from. Teasing tracheal spot [Boericke].
• Voice—hoarseness—dryness of larynx—warm room aggravates. Irritative dryness worse heat [Clarke].
• Throat—better—warm drinks (transient). Brief soothing before looseness [Boericke].
• Larynx—cough—talking aggravates. Phono-triggered cough [Boericke].

Respiration / Chest

• Cough—dry—night—lying aggravates. Typical nocturnal pattern [Allen], [Kent].
• Cough—dry—warm room aggravates—open air ameliorates. Environmental polarity [Hering], [Clarke].
• Cough—tickling—in trachea—behind sternum. Seat of irritation [Boericke].
• Expectoration—scanty—tenacious—after dry stage. Transition phase [Hering].
• Breathing—through mouth—night—nose obstructed. Mouth-breathing perpetuates dryness [Clarke].
• Chest—pain—soreness—from coughing. Secondary to paroxysms [Allen].

Ears

• Ear—Eustachian tube—catarrh—stopped sensation—swallowing, with. Stuffed, popping ears in coryza [Hering].
• Hearing—diminished—coryza during. Transient dulness [Boericke].
• Ear—warm room aggravates—open air ameliorates. Modality echoed [Clarke].
• Ear—noises—popping—deglutition, on. Tubal catarrh sign [Allen].
• Ear—pain—extending from root of nose. Sinus–Eustachian link [Allen].
• Ear—catarrh—dry stage predominates. Early Sticta stage [Hering].

Sleep

• Sleep—disturbed—cough—on lying down. Classic bedtime aggravation [Kent].
• Sleep—position—must sit up—better. Propped posture relieves [Allen].
• Sleep—unrefreshing—from night cough and blocked nose. Morning dulness [Hering].
• Sleep—waking—frequent—tickling in larynx. Repeated arousals [Clarke].
• Sleep—improves—cool, moist air. Environmental therapy mirrors remedy [Clarke].
• Sleep—children—restless—snuffles with dry coryza. Paediatric note [Hering].

Generalities

• Generalities—warm room—aggravates. Core modality [Hering], [Clarke].
• Generalities—open air—ameliorates. Core modality [Hering].
• Generalities—weather—changes of—aggravates. Catarrhal-rheumatic alternation [Boger].
• Generalities—dryness of mucous membranes—first stage. Tissue keynote [Hering], [Allen].
• Generalities—lying—aggravates (cough, breathing). Positional aggravation [Kent].
• Generalities—better when discharge appears. Turning-point keynote [Hering], [Clarke].

Hahnemann — Materia Medica Pura (1821–1834): general principles; comparative notes for catarrhal remedies.
Hering — The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica (1879–1891): clinical confirmations for dry coryza, posterior nares, night cough.
Allen, T. F. — Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–1879): proving data (head, nose, larynx), general modalities.
Clarke, J. H. — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): nasal/laryngeal keynotes, differentials (Kali-bich., Puls., Rumex).
Boericke, W. — Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica (1901): clinical pointers (dry coryza, hay fever, laryngeal tickle).
Kent, J. T. — Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica (1905): modality analysis and remedy comparisons (Puls., Nux-v., Rumex).
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica (1915): generalities and catarrhal-rheumatic alternation notes.
Hughes, R. — A Manual of Pharmacodynamics (1880): substance background, traditional uses of lungwort lichens.
Phatak, S. R. — Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines (1977): concise keynotes (dryness, posterior catarrh).
Farrington, E. A. — Clinical Materia Medica (1887): comparisons in catarrhal sphere (Hydrast., Kali-bich., Puls.).
Dunham, C. — Lectures on Materia Medica (1878): acute catarrh insights and management with environment.
Tyler, M. L. — Homoeopathic Drug Pictures (1942): portraits emphasising modalities and differentials in URTI states.